The words we speak to those who have grown in the faith are wise. Our words are different from the wisdom of this world. Our words are different from those of the rulers of this world. These rulers are becoming less and less powerful.

然而，在完全的人中，我们也讲智慧。但不是这世上的智慧，也不是这世上有权有位、将要败亡之人的智慧。

然而，在成熟的人中，我们也讲智慧，但不是今世的智慧，也不是今世有权有位、将要灭亡的人的智慧。

然而，在成熟的人中，我们也讲智慧，但不是今世的智慧，也不是今世有权有位、将要灭亡的人的智慧。

当然我们也跟成熟的人谈论智慧，不过并非这个世代的智慧，也不是那些在世上当权、将来要衰亡之人的智慧。

然而在信心成熟的人中间，我们也讲智慧，但不是这世代的智慧，也不是这世代将要灭亡的执政者的智慧。

然而，在成熟的人中间，我们也讲智慧，但不是这世代的智慧，也不是这世代中将要被废除的那些统治者的智慧。

然而，在完全的人中，我們也講智慧。但不是這世上的智慧，也不是這世上有權有位、將要敗亡之人的智慧。

然而，在成熟的人中，我們也講智慧，但不是今世的智慧，也不是今世有權有位、將要滅亡的人的智慧。

然而，在成熟的人中，我們也講智慧，但不是今世的智慧，也不是今世有權有位、將要滅亡的人的智慧。

當然我們也跟成熟的人談論智慧，不過並非這個世代的智慧，也不是那些在世上當權、將來要衰亡之人的智慧。

然而在信心成熟的人中間，我們也講智慧，但不是這世代的智慧，也不是這世代將要滅亡的執政者的智慧。

其實在成熟的人中間、我們倒也講智慧。可不是今世的智慧，又不是今世那些漸被消滅的執政者的智慧；

然而，在成熟的人中間，我們也講智慧，但不是這世代的智慧，也不是這世代中將要被廢除的那些統治者的智慧。

然我言智於成人、非斯世之智、亦非斯世掌權者之智、以其必敗也、

吾儕傳智於練達之人、但非此世之智、亦非在世有司之智、以其必敗也、

然我儕與全備之人無不言智慧、但非斯世之智慧、亦非斯世有權位終必滅者之智慧、

雖然、吾人所傳之道、在完善之人視之、乃真智慧也；非斯世之智慧、亦非世上王公大人終歸烏有者之智慧。

We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.

Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.

Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten.

We do, however, speak a wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.

Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away;

However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.

We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nought:

However, we do speak a wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

Now we do speak wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are perishing.

We speak wisdom, however, among those who are full grown, yet a wisdom not of this world nor of the rulers of this world who are coming to nothing.

God chose the things of this world that are common and looked down on. God chose things considered unimportant to do away with things considered important.

Solid food is for those who are grown up. They have trained themselves to tell the difference between good and evil. That shows they have grown up.

The message of the cross seems foolish to those who are lost and dying. But it is God’s power to us who are being saved.It is written,“ I will destroy the wisdom of those who are wise. I will do away with the cleverness of those who think they are so smart.”( Isaiah 29:14)Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where are the great thinkers of our time? Hasn’t God made the wisdom of the world foolish?

The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They can’t see the light of the good news that makes Christ’s glory clear. Christ is the likeness of God.

God always gives you all the grace you need. So you will only have to suffer for a little while. Then God himself will build you up again. He will make you strong and steady. And he has chosen you to share in his eternal glory because you belong to Christ.

Wisdom like this doesn’t come down from heaven. It belongs to the earth. It doesn’t come from the Holy Spirit. It comes from the devil.

I have not yet received all these things. I have not yet reached my goal. Christ Jesus took hold of me so that I could reach that goal. So I keep pushing myself forward to reach it.Brothers and sisters, I don’t consider that I have taken hold of it yet. But here is the one thing I do. I forget what is behind me. I push hard toward what is ahead of me.I push myself forward toward the goal to win the prize. God has appointed me to win it. The heavenly prize is Christ Jesus himself.So all of us who are grown up in the faith should see things this way. Maybe you think differently about something. But God will make it clear to you.

So Christ himself gave the gift of the apostles to the church. He gave the prophets and those who preach the good news. And he also gave the pastors and teachers as a gift to the church.He gave all these people so that they might prepare God’s people to serve. Then the body of Christ will be built up.That will continue until we all become one in the faith. We will also become one in the knowledge of God’s Son. Then we will be grown up in the faith. We will receive everything that Christ has for us.

He removes the authority of priests and leads them away. He removes from their positions officials who have been in control for a long time.

So be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Epaphras sends greetings. He is one of you. He serves Christ Jesus. He is always praying hard for you. He prays that you will hold on tightly to all that God has in mind for us. He prays that you will keep growing in your knowledge of what God wants. He also prays that you will be completely sure about it.

You used to live as sinners when you followed the ways of this world. You served the one who rules over the spiritual forces of evil. He is the spirit who is now at work in those who don’t obey God.

He looks down on proud leaders. He takes away the strength of those who are mighty.

Why do the nations plan evil together? Why do they make useless plans?The kings of the earth rise up against the Lord. The rulers of the earth join together against his anointed king.“ Let us break free from their chains,” they say.“ Let us throw off their ropes.”The God who sits on his throne in heaven laughs. The Lord makes fun of those rulers and their plans.When he is angry, he warns them. When his anger blazes out, he terrifies them.He says to them,“ I have placed my king on my holy mountain of Zion.”

None of the rulers of this world understood God’s wisdom. If they had, they would not have nailed the Lord of glory to the cross.

All of us get tripped up in many ways. Suppose someone is never wrong in what they say. Then they are perfect. They are able to keep their whole body under control.

The Lord blocks the sinful plans of the nations. He keeps them from doing what they want to do.

There was a man who lived in the land of Uz. His name was Job. He was honest. He did what was right. He had respect for God and avoided evil.

Here is what we take pride in. Our sense of what is right and wrong tells us how we have acted. We have lived with honor and godly honesty. We have depended on God’s grace and not on the world’s wisdom. We lived that way most of all when we were dealing with you.

The officials of the city of Zoan are very foolish. Pharaoh’s wise men give advice that doesn’t make any sense. How can they dare to say to Pharaoh,“ We’re among the wise men”? How can they say to him,“ We’re like the advisers to the kings of long ago”?Pharaoh, where are your wise men now? Let them tell you what the Lord who rules over all has planned against Egypt.The officials of Zoan have become foolish. The leaders of Memphis have been lied to. The most important leaders in Egypt have led its people astray.

“ The manager had not been honest. But the master praised him for being clever. The people of this world are clever in dealing with those who are like themselves. They are more clever than God’s people.

And this was the way it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I didn’t come with fancy words or human wisdom. I preached to you the truth about God’s love.

Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. Be like babies as far as evil is concerned. But be grown up in your thinking.

That is what we speak about. We don’t use words taught to us by people. We use words taught to us by the Holy Spirit. We use the words taught by the Spirit to explain spiritual truths.

The seed that fell among the thorns is like others who hear the message. But then the worries of this life and the false promises of wealth crowd it out. They keep the message from producing fruit.

Finally, brothers and sisters, be joyful! Work to make things right with one another. Help one another and agree with one another. Live in peace. And the God who gives love and peace will be with you.

Long ago you spoke by the Holy Spirit. You spoke through the mouth of our father David, who served you. You said,“‘ Why are the nations angry? Why do the people make useless plans?The kings of the earth rise up. The rulers of the earth gather together against the Lord and against his anointed king.’( Psalm 2:1, 2)In fact, Herod and Pontius Pilate met with the Gentiles in this city. They also met with the people of Israel. All of them made plans against your holy servant Jesus. He is the one you anointed.They did what your power and purpose had already decided should happen.

Consider honest people who are without blame. People who seek peace will have a tomorrow.

Jesus answered,“ If you want to be perfect, go and sell everything you have. Give the money to those who are poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.”

He takes the power of princes away from them. He reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.